WATCH: Georgia men's basketball to wear jersey patches memorializing Devin Willock, Chandler LeCroy

Tragedy struck the University and Georgia and the Georgia athletic department over the weekend as a football player and recruiting staffer were killed in a single-car crash. Offensive lineman Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy both died.

To honor them on Tuesday night and for the rest of the season, the Georgia men’s basketball team will wear a patch to memorialize them. Forward Jabri Abdur-Rahim explained why to his teammates in a short video posted by Georgia men’s basketball.

“We just, me and coach White came up with the idea to put a patch on the jersey to memorialize them in the game tonight and, I think, moving forward,” Abdur-Rahim said. “So, you guys will join me in wearing this patch just to rememeber them. [Devin] was my friend and me and Kario [Oquendo] kind of knew him. Obviously the university is going through something right now. So just to kind of show our support and memorialize him and show support for his family, we’re going to do this tonight and going forward.”

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— Georgia Basketball (@UGABasketball) January 17, 2023

The patches are a small, touching gesture at a tragic time for the entire University of Georgia community, and one that will evidently continue on for the rest of this season as they mourn the loss of Willock and LeCroy.

Georgia tips off against Kentucky at 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening.

Georgia head coach Mike White spoke about the tragedy earlier in the week

Hearts are heavy around the University of Georgia campus following the passing of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy on Sunday from a car accident. For the players on the Bulldogs basketball team, many of whom were close friends with Willock, things have been especially hard.

Georgia basketball coach Mike White addressed the tragedy with his team in a Sunday film session as they prepare to face Kentucky on Tuesday. There White allowed his players an open forum to express how they felt, hoping the team can work through their emotions together and remember the lives of Willock and LeCroy.

“That was the first thing we talked about when we came in yesterday to watch film,” White said. “Really just offered my condolences to our guys who were close with Devin. A couple of our guys in particular, Jabri (Abdur-Rahim) and Kario (Oquendo). Offered guys an opportunity to talk and express themselves.

“Guys were pretty somber. The mood was somber, as it is throughout campus I imagine. Tragic. Sad. Thoughts and prayers with the families and with the entire football program. We’ve got to count our blessings. It’s just a tough time around here.”